We've known each other since Kindergarten, but didn't start dating until our senior year at Lake Zurich High School. Twelve years since first meeting, Mike won Jen over with his collection of Walmart sweatshirts, impressive athletic abilities, and long sideburns (i.e. charm), and they spent their first date at Panera during an off-campus lunch break. After boldly announcing that Jen "looks just like his next girlfriend” on stage in front of the entire school...well, the rest is history. We had the time of our lives attending college together at the University of Iowa. Post-graduation, Mike landed a job in Minneapolis while Jen moved to Dallas for graduate school. After eight years of dating, three years of long distance, job changes, more school, and several cross-country moves, it’s safe to say that we are very excited to start our life together!

The Saturday after Thanksgiving, we decided to spend the entire day in Chicago since we would soon be moving to Seattle. Mike was very strategic by letting Jen plan the entire day, because if he would have planned it himself, she for sure would have known something was up. This idea worked because Jen was clueless - she left that morning with wet hair, no make up, and a personal agenda to spend hours shopping and do all the Christmas things. She had no idea that Mike had a plan of his own, and was carrying the most beautiful ring in his coat pocket all day. It was a nice day outside, so Mike suggested taking a walk on the lakefront trail before heading to dinner (nothing out of the ordinary for us). Before Jen knew it, the "walk" turned into Mike getting down on one knee and she was so caught off guard that she blacked out for most of the proposal - that is, until he popped the question, and of course, she said yes! That night, we celebrated with dinner and champagne at one of our favorite restaurants in the city, and then again with our families at brunch the next morning. It was truly the best weekend!